LIVE: Iran, Hezbollah ramp up attacks on Israel amid widening regional conflict
Strikes hit multiple areas including near key nuclear site; Trump warns of targeting Iran’s power plants as conflict enters fourth week amid rising global tensions
Here is the top, trending news of Sunday, March 22, 2026, including Iran war, Indian politics, states’ politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
Scroll below for updates.Live Updates
- 22 March 2026 8:46 PM IST
US, Iran trade threats of expanding war after strikes near Israeli areas tied to nuclear sites
Iran and its ally, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, stepped up their attacks on Israel on Sunday, launching strikes across the country after the United States and Iran threatened to widen their targets in the war in the Middle East, now in its fourth week.
As Israel came under renewed fire, top Israeli leaders travelled to the southern town of Arad, one of two communities near a secretive nuclear research site struck by Iranian missiles late Saturday, wounding scores of people.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured the destruction in Arad and said it was a "miracle" no one was killed there. He claimed Israel and the US were well on their way to achieving the war's goals and implored the international community for more support.
Earlier, President Donald Trump warned the United States will destroy Iran's power plants if Tehran fails to fully open the Strait of Hormuz, setting a 48-hour deadline on Saturday. Iran's parliament speaker said if the US follows through on its threat, Tehran will retaliate against American and Israeli energy and wider infrastructure in the region.
The developments signalled the Iran war, which the US and Israel launched February 28, was moving in a dangerous new direction, despite Trump's mention last week he was considering "winding down" operations. It has killed hundreds of people, rattled the global economy and sent oil prices surging.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an airstrike Sunday that killed a man in northern Israel while Gulf Arab states -- including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- said they were intercepting fresh barrages of new Iranian strikes.
- 22 March 2026 8:44 PM IST
Congress releases final list of 7 candidates for Assam Assembly polls
The Congress on Sunday announced its fifth and final list of seven candidates for the Assam Assembly elections. With this, the party has declared candidates for 101 of the 126 seats in the state Assembly.
"The Central Election Committee (CEC) of Congress has selected the Congress candidates for the ensuing elections to the Assam Legislative Assembly," an official statement from AICC general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal said.
Among the candidates declared in the final list are Joseph Hasda from the Gossaigaon seat, Birkhang Boro from Dotma-ST, Rajat Kanti Saha from the Bijni and Anchula Gwara Daimary from the Bhergaon seat.
The party also declared Narayan Adhikari as its candidate from the Mazbat, Nirmal Langthasa from Haflong-ST and Amar Chand Jain from the Katigorah assembly constituency.
The Congress on Friday released its fourth list of seven candidates, dropping a sitting MLA while leaving 11 seats for its alliance partner, Raijor Dal.
The party, which is contesting the state elections as part of a six-party alliance, had earlier announced that it would leave 15 seats for its allies.
- 22 March 2026 8:43 PM IST
Akhilesh questions praise for Modi's record tenure, says what did he deliver
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday sought to downplay Prime Minister Narendra Modi's record of 8,931 days in public life, questioning the achievements of the central government compared to the previous administration. Speaking to PTI Videos in Lucknow on Sunday, Yadav emphasised that the record should not be assessed by the number of days served but by the tangible improvements made in comparison to the previous government.
"Where does our Happiness Index stand now? Where does our per capita income rank globally? Where do we stand on the world stage in terms of corruption? Where do we rank globally regarding unemployment? From an environmental perspective, how are our rivers and our water bodies faring? Are they in a better state than before, or not? How safe are our women and our daughters?" Yadav asked. Accusing the central government of having a failed foreign policy, Yadav questioned whom the administration would turn to for support in the event of war.
"We have handed over our entire market to China. Just imagine if a war breaks out — our aircraft are from France, our communication systems are from Israel, and we have procured various items from Russia, while some are manufactured by China. When the time comes to fight a war, who exactly will you turn to for support? They have completely destroyed our foreign policy," Yadav said.
- 22 March 2026 7:05 PM IST
Sri Lanka hikes fuel prices by 25 pc amid West Asia conflict
The Sri Lankan government on Sunday raised fuel prices by around 25 per cent, the second such increase in a week amid the West Asia conflict.
The step comes in the backdrop of the joint US-Israel strikes against Iran and the retaliation by the Islamic nation that has spread to the entire Gulf region. It has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important choke point for the world's energy supplies.
The island nation's government hiked fuel prices effective midnight as the conflict, which has roiled global oil markets, entered its fourth week. The price of auto diesel rose 26.1 per cent from Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) 303 to LKR 382, super diesel 25.5 per cent from LKR 353 to LKR 443, petrol 92 octane 25.6 per cent from 317 to 398, petrol 95 octane 24.7 per cent from 365 to 455, and kerosene 30.8 per cent from 195 to 255.
The price hike, caused by the conflict, is the second in a week and the third since March 1.
With the cost escalations, the fuel retail prices are set to return to the levels of the 2022 economic crisis, when Sri Lanka declared its first-ever sovereign default since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.
- 22 March 2026 6:47 PM IST
Netanyahu visits site of Iranian missile attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (March 22) said the recent missile attacks on Diego Garcia show that Iran has the capacity to reach deep into Europe and poses a danger to the entire world.
Netanyahu was visiting the southern Israeli city of Arad which faced Iranian missile strikes on Saturday evening when he also said his country and the US are fighting together on behalf of everyone.
“If you want proof that Iran endangers the entire world, the last 48 hours have given it. In the last 48 hours, Iran targeted a civilian area. They're using that as a mass murder weapon. Luckily, no one was killed, but that's due to luck, not their intention. Their intention is to murder civilians,” Netanyahu said.
Pointing out that Iran fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Diego Garcia, Netanyahu said, “That's 4,000 kilometres. I've been warning all the time. They now have the capacity to reach deep into Europe. They already have fired on European countries -- Cyprus. They are putting everyone in their sights.” For the past two decades, Israel has been referring to the Iranian ballistic missile programme, arguing that such weapons with nuclear capabilities would pose a grave threat not only to itself but also to Europe.
Iran fired missiles at the UK-US air base on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean on Saturday.
- 22 March 2026 6:05 PM IST
PM Modi reviews energy security amid West Asia tensions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting in the national capital to review the situation related to petroleum, crude, gas, power and fertiliser sectors amid the evolving West Asia conflict.
The meeting focused on ensuring uninterrupted supply, stable logistics and efficient distribution of essential resources across the country. Senior ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Health Minister JP Nadda, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, attended the meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence.
The government said it is taking proactive steps to safeguard energy security and maintain adequate availability, while continuously monitoring global developments to protect consumer and industry interests.
The meeting came even as an LPG tanker from the United States docked along India’s western coast, offering some supply relief amid mounting concerns over energy security.
Tensions in West Asia, however, showed no signs of easing. US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could target Iranian power infrastructure if Tehran does not lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – a critical global oil transit route – within 48 hours.
The Iranians, on their side, are also belligerent and have attacked a nuclear facility in central Israel in response to Tel Aviv attack on the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran. On top of all this, the Houthi rebels have also threatened to join in the war with Iran with a threat to shipping in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
- 22 March 2026 4:27 PM IST
Israeli settlers smash cars, set fires in attacks on Palestinians in West Bank
Israeli settlers rampaged through multiple Palestinian villages overnight Saturday and into Sunday, smashing cars, setting fires and wounding several men in the latest flare-up of violence in the occupied West Bank.
The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported attacks in at least six communities on Sunday.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said at least three Palestinians in the village of Jalud suffered head wounds from beatings and were hospitalised after confronting settlers, who were also reported injured.
The violence came as Israel's government presses ahead with new settlements in the occupied West Bank. Attacks by settlers have intensified alongside a broader surge in violence since the Iran war started.
Israel's military said it responded to Israeli civilians carrying out “arson against structures and property, as well as engaging in disturbances in the area,” but did not report any arrests or indicate whether investigations were opened.
WAFA reported attacks in the villages of Silat al Dahr and Fandaqumiya, both near Jenin; in Jalud and Salfit, both south of Nablus; and in the agricultural regions Masafer Yatta and the Jordan Valley.
Homes and cars were set ablaze, Palestinians were pepper-sprayed and at least five people were wounded in the overnight assaults, which took place during the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the agency said.
- 22 March 2026 4:26 PM IST
Flash floods in Oman: 2 from Kerala die, Cong's Satheesan seeks PM Modi's intervention
Senior Congress leader V D Satheesan on Sunday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's urgent intervention in view of reports of the death of two people from Kerala and the disappearance of another in flash floods in Oman.
In his letter, Satheesan expressed deep concern over the tragic incident that occurred on Saturday, claiming the lives of Yusuf and Shamla, natives of Trithala in Kerala.
"I write to you with deep concern regarding the tragic flash floods that struck Oman on Saturday, resulting in the loss of two lives and leaving one woman from Kerala still missing," Satheesan said in the letter.
The woman identified as Ramla also belongs to Trithala. According to reports, the victims were travelling in a vehicle when it was caught in a sudden flash flood in Oman's Al Batinah Governorate.
Satheesan urged the Centre to take immediate steps to coordinate with Omani authorities to expedite and strengthen the ongoing search and rescue operations, especially in view of the continuing heavy rains and flood risk in the region.
He, in the letter, also requested all possible assistance to ensure the safety of those affected and to support the families of the victims.
- 22 March 2026 3:09 PM IST
Iran softens Hormuz blockade, permits passage for ‘non-enemy’ ships
Iran has softened its stance on letting ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with a senior UN representative saying that the waterway remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to "enemies" – presumably the US and Israel.
The statement comes hours after US President Donald Trump threatened to target Iranian power plants if the waterway does not "fully open" within 48 hours.
Ali Mousavi, the Iranian representative to the International Maritime Organisation, said on Sunday that ships not linked to "Iran's enemies" could pass the strait by coordinating security and safety arrangements with Tehran.
He added that Tehran is ready to cooperate with the UN body to improve maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf, arguing that Israeli and US attacks against Iran are at the "root of the current situation" in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Diplomacy remains Iran's priority. However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important," Mousavi said.
Iran shut the vital energy supply route on February 28, through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied gas passes, saying it "won't even allow a litre of oil" to reach the US, Israel and their partners.
- 22 March 2026 1:51 PM IST
Iran warns of targeting regional infrastructure after Trump’s Strait of Hormuz ultimatum
Iran's military renewed threats on Sunday against the region's infrastructure after US President Donald Trump vowed to "obliterate" power plants in the Islamic Republic if the Strait of Hormuz is not swiftly reopened.
"Following previous warnings, if Iran's fuel and energy infrastructure is violated by the enemy, all energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted," the Iranian military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya said in a statement carried by Fars news agency.
The statement comes after Trump gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to open the vital route in the Gulf to shipping traffic after it was effectively closed in response to the West Asia war.
